FMCSA renews pulsating lamp exemption for Grote, NTTC

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has renewed the pulsating brake lamp exemptions for National Tank Truck Carriers and Grote Industries. The agency filed the notices on Nov. 14 and published them on Nov. 17.

“FMCSA and NHTSA research programs examining the ability of alternative rear-signaling systems to reduce the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes provide a sufficient basis for FMCSA to conclude that implementation of amber brake-activated auxiliary pulsating warning lamps on the rear of trailers and van body trucks, in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the regulations, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption,” FMCSA stated in its decision. “Therefore, for the reasons discussed above and in the prior notice granting the original exemption request, FMCSA concludes that renewing the exemption on the terms and conditions set forth in this exemption renewal decision, will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.”

NTTC’s original five-year exemption was granted on Oct. 8, 2020, and allowed fleets with tank trailers to install or keep using a red or amber brake-activated pulsating lamp in the upper center or upper dual outboard position on trailers. The organization’s new renewal will expire on Oct. 8, 2030.

Meanwhile, Grote’s exemption, which was originally published on Dec. 7, 2020, allows fleets to use Grote’s amber brake-activated auxiliary pulsating lamp on the rear side of commercial vehicles. Their new exemption is good through Dec. 2, 2030.

During the comment period for the two exemptions, multiple fleets noted that the pulsating lamps had helped reduce collisions, such as Gemini Motor Transport, Oakley Transport, Island Transportation, and ADM Trucking for NTTC’s lights, and Amazon and Schneider National for Grote’s.

Both exemptions require that the pulsating brake lamps be used alongside the steady-burning ones required by FMCSA regulations.